US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION1399

UNCLAS ASUNCION 001399 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, PA, UNHRC-1 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY: DEMARCHE ON UN THIRD COMMITTEE AND 
FOURTH COMMITTEE (ANTI-ISRAEL) RESOLUTIONS 
 
REF: A. STATE 204646 
     B. ASUNCION 1314 
     C. STATE 188933 
 
1.  On 11/8, A/DCM discussed reftel (A) points with the MFA's 
Director of International Organizations Julio Peralta 
stressing the importance we attached to support of the 
resolution on Iran.  Peralta consulted with Paraguay's 
Mission to the UN in New York and later advised of Paraguay's 
intention to support -- consistent with its position from 
prior years -- the country specific resolutions identified in 
reftel. 
 
2.  On his own initiative, Peralta flagged discussions with 
Paraguay's UN Mission reps in New York over the resolutions 
(per reftel (B)) that target Israel.  In view of a high-level 
trip to Israel under consideration for the coming weeks, 
Peralta was concerned Paraguay could come up for criticism 
over its support for these resolutions.  However, he 
indicated Paraguay's UN Mission was reluctant to change 
Paraguay's position from prior years.  Separately, the MFA's 
Under Secretary for Bilateral Affairs, Ceferino Valdez, 
informed A/DCM that Paraguay would like for Israel to 
consider reopening an Embassy in Paraguay.  A/DCM assured 
both Peralta and Valdez that it was not unlikely Israel would 
raise Paraguay's vote on the UN resolutions with a visiting 
Paraguayan delegation and urged Paraguay give consideration 
to at least abstaining on these resolutions. 
JOHNSON